Tag: metabolic biochemistry

Biotin is really boring. Biotin only knows how to do one thing. Biotin helps our bodies derive energy from fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. New research suggests more than 2,000 human genes depend on biotin for expression. However, all of these processes and mechanisms described above involve delivering carbon dioxide from one place to another.

This is not to say biotin is not important, of course it is. For example, a fatty acid chain that is 3 carbons long is really hard to metabolize. It’s more difficult than three people trying to walk side-by-side down a narrow sidewalk. If you have four people, you can double-up and walk in two rows of two.

After biotin slaps on another carbon dioxide molecule to make the chain an even number of carbons long, it’s a lot easier for our bodies to continue that metabolism reaction.

I would love to tell you more about the specific enzyme that has this even-numbers-only fetish, but all my biochem books are in a box. Did you know GreenEyedGuide is moving from So Cal to Wisconsin? You can read about it on my other blog, West Coast Meets Midwest.

In August 2013 a book I’d been working on for 10 years was finally published! Now, August 2017, it’s available as an audiobook! My only regret is it took me so long to save enough to make this happen – I’m guessing if you’re busy enough to need caffeine, you’re busy enough to prefer an audiobook over the real thing.

Since I first started studying biochemistry and energy drinks in 2003, my biggest goal has been to help people consume caffeine safely.

Here’s how you can listen for free and help me promote “my baby”:

Energy Drink Guide [Amazon]

back cover of Are You a Monster or a Rock Star

STEP ZERO: Make sure you’re not signed in to Amazon or Audible. If you already have an Audible account, skip to the bottom for Step Three.

STEP ONE: Visit this link and get a 30-day trial of Audible along with my book:

If you already have an Audible Account:

STEP THREE: You can use this link to find my book:

That’s it! That’s all! In just a few steps you’ve helped me and put the ultimate guide to the science of energy drinks in your hands (or, ears, I suppose).

Thank you for helping me share this book. Special thanks to Agent Smith of the Double Cross Committee for bringing my baby to life and for literally giving a voice to all my cheesy puns throughout the book.

Here’s a recap of the quick reviews posted this month for the “Science of Energy Drinks” series on the GreenEyedGuide Instagram and Facebook pages: Bai Sparkling Antioxidant Infusion, Cocaine Energy, and Monster Ultra Violet.

Gluco–neo–genesis literally means the creation of newglucose. This process is kind of a big deal because glucose is the primary source of fuel for our bodies and there are times we have to make that fuel ourselves (as opposed to ingesting it). That process of gluconeogenesis relies on enzymes, which are like tiny machines in our bodies that do the work to keep us functioning. Those enzymes/machines rely on the vitamin BIOTIN the way a remote control relies on batteries.

In general, BIOTIN-dependent enzymes are involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins BUTBIOTIN is REALLY BASIC and BORING in the role it plays. We’ll get to that next week…

🤓💚📚🔬☕Get your copy of my book “Are You a Monster or a Rock Star: A Guide to Energy Drinks- How They Work, Why They Work, How to Use Them Safely” on Amazon http://amzn.to/2bjHRbk(⁉️⚡paperback, hardcover, e-book available, AUDIOBOOK COMING SOOOOOON⚡⁉️)

STAY TUNED every Monday (and sometimes Tuesday) for more book excerpts and the science behind energy drink ingredients as we continue our page-by-page exploration through the Energy Drink Guide.

Last week we said that supplementing with pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is pointless because it’s abundant in so many different foods. Supplementing is pointless, but the vitamin is not. Pantothnic acid has an important job when it comes to metabolizing food for energy. This puppy metaphor will help you remember WHAT B5/PANTOTHENIC ACID DOES:

Pantothenic acid helps form Coenzyme A.

Coenzyme A is essential for metabolism of carbs, protein, fat, and alcohol.

When these food molecules break down, they end up as ACETATE.

Acetatemay come from the metabolism of carbohydrates, fat, alcohol, or protein, just like a dogmay come from the pet store, the pound, the street, or a neighbor.

Coenzyme A is like the person who brings a dog, in this case acetate, to the park.

Regardless of where it came from, a healthy dogwants to go to the PARK. If you bring it to the PARK and let it run, you’ll see a 💥burst of energy 💥.

Coenzyme A has to bring acetateto the KREBS CYCLE, which results in a 💥huge release of energy 💥

STAY TUNED every Monday for more book excerpts and the science behind energy drink ingredients as we continue our page-by-page exploration through the Energy Drink Guide.